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Glite Dictionary
mantled ground squirrel

mantled ground squirrel

7.2
A small brown animal with black stripes on its back that lives on the ground in western North America
  • noun
  • /ˈmæntəld ɡraʊnd ˈskwɜrəl/
  • US
translation icon : ardilla de tierra de manto dorado
  • We spotted a mantled ground squirrel darting across the hiking trail in the Rockies.
  • the golden-mantled ground squirrel

Examples

  • The mantled ground squirrel is often seen in parks.

  • The mantled ground squirrel is often confused with the chipmunk due to its striped back.

  • Researchers observed several mantled ground squirrels gathering food before winter.

  • Have you ever spotted a mantled ground squirrel?

  • While hiking in the mountains, I spotted a mantled ground squirrel searching for food among the rocks.

  • The mantled ground squirrel darted quickly across the path, pausing to nibble on a seed.

  • In the early morning, the mantled ground squirrel can be seen basking in the sun on a warm rock.

Synonyms

Citellus lateralis
vsmantled ground squirrel
  • Specialized
9.9

A ground squirrel with black stripes and reddish brown fur from western North America

is the common everyday English name rather than the scientific form

Surface Forms

mantled ground squirrel singular
mantled ground squirrels plural

Morphology

mantled + ground + squirrel

The phrase is a straightforward adjective + compound noun: 'mantled' (= having a covering), and 'ground squirrel' (= a squirrel that lives on the ground). A learner who knows these constituents can readily infer it denotes a ground-dwelling squirrel with a mantle or distinctive covering, so the meaning is directly compositional.

Etymology

Mantled ground squirrel comes from the animal's look: the word mantled means 'wearing a mantle' or 'cloak', and this squirrel has a dark band across its shoulders like a small coat. So mantled ground squirrel simply tells you it is a ground squirrel with a cloak-like stripe.